Let’s take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of this supernatural horror game.
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning title, Oxenfree. While it follows a similar path to its predecessor, it’s an entirely new experience.
It follows the story of Riley as she returns to her hometown of Camena. She’s tasked to investigate the strange interference with electrical equipment, but she quickly realises that something far more sinister is going on.
While this type of game isn’t for everyone, Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a perfect example of a graphic adventure game done right. The environments are fully interactive and the the coastal town of Camena feels very real. You can climb up rocks, jump across rivers, and abseil down ropes exploring every nook and cranny.
Your choices matter here, and Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals gives you plenty of chances to pave the way for your own journey. You select from a variety of options when interacting with other characters, deciding to help a resident or focus on your main objective. This adds an extra layer of immersion as you try to solve the mysteries of Camena.
While exploring is a major part of Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, I did find the map a little confusing at times. This was especially the case when I was at the beginning of the game. The map does eventually flesh out a little though, thanks to the little notes that Riley writes throughout her adventure.
These scribbles pinpoint certain locations such as Jacob’s house, as well as some handy notes to the side on a piece of paper explaining your main objective and potential side quests.
Additionally, as you work out how to reach specific points, the map is updated with yellow triangles to remind you where which pathway goes. As someone who struggled with the map at first, this was a lifesaver.
Due to the nature of the game, there is a lot of relationship-building and character interaction. While the main roster for Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is certainly smaller than the first game, the chemistry between Riley and Jacob is brilliant. Their conversations are engaging, awkward, and wholesome – making them both extremely likeable.
The town of Camena is already full of mysteries, but Riley and Jacob meet an odd bunch of teenagers. I really liked this addition to the main overarching plot, as I found myself wanting to learn more about them and what their role was. That and the threat of the Parentage cult. But to say any more would ruin the joy of playing the game for the first time.
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a pretty relaxing game overall. There’s something calming about slowly exploring a quiet town with a companion. Still, this game does have horror elements, which I’m personally a big fan of. The scarier scenes are superbly executed and somehow perfectly merge alongside the more serene moments of exploring the forest.
Utilising your walkie-talkie to communicate with others is also essential, as it is used to progress the main storyline and unlock side quests. The radio signal feature also makes a return and is often used to unveil the town’s secrets.
Before I end this review, I will say that the loading times on the Nintendo Switch were a little slow when moving to a new area. While it isn’t game-breaking, it was annoying having to wait a while to carry on with the game – most notably when I was in the middle of a conversation with someone.
Other than that, Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals runs well on the Nintendo Switch.
If you loved the original Oxenfree game, you’ll adore this follow-up title. It retains the familiar qualities of the first entry but offers more than enough new elements alongside this to feel fresh. You can definitely play Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals without playing the first game too, but doing so will provide you with a little more context as to what exactly is going on.
